The industry’s biggest names attended Europe’s largest golf trade and educational event, held at the Harrogate International Centre in October last year.
Post-show surveys showed encouraging signs that, despite the continuing economic downturn, thousands of pounds worth of business was still being written.
Andrew Green, Nike GolfUK&IrelandSales Manager revealed the brand recorded a 12% increase in orders compared to 2010.
He said: “We feel it is important to connect with both trade and ultimately key customers within the green grasschannel and value our partnership with the buying groups.
“We have already begun planning for The Golf Show 2012 where we are looking to increase the size of our stand to showcase even more of our products spread over seven categories.”
Simon Homer, Group Sales Director of PowaKaddy said the 2011 Show was the company’s best ever in terms of orders taken.
“The timing of the show is ideal for our business as it enables us to discuss with delegates our range line up for the following year an also any pre-Christmas specials,” he said.
“This year was no different with many group members visiting our stand, and in addition other customers outside the two main groups. Based on orders taken, the show was our best ever and we’re delighted with the support from those who visited.”
Leslie Hepsworth, President of Srixon Sports Europe, also revealed an increase in sales with Srixon/Cleveland exceeding its sales targets by 10%.
He added: “The Golf Show offers us the perfect opportunity to launch our new lines, talk directly to our main customers and discuss new strategies with retailers.”
For the first time Motocaddy was involved in The Golf Show last year and was overjoyed at the success it had.
Neil Parker, Sales Director, said: “The Golf Show provided us with a new medium in which to meet our customers and gives us the opportunity to meet them face-to-face and much bigger display of our product range than is possible when we visit them individually.”
There were also encouraging figures from the post-show surveys conducted with delegates, with 98% saying the event was a good use of their time and 96% meeting their primary objectives for attending. More than half of those attending used to Show to conduct their forward buying for the new season with 65% revealing they placed orders with exhibitors.
John Davis, Event Manager, added: “The figures and feedback received from last year’s show paint a pleasing picture for us in that so many people achieved what they set out to from the show. To have delegates telling us the show was a good use of their time and for exhibitors to announce they met or exceeded sales expectations at the show is a reflection on what we want the show to be – a place where delegates can learn and buy while exhibitors display and sell.”
The Golf Show www.golftradeshow.co.uk